WINTER 2012
go! on the WITH
Time-Saving Gardening Tips Great Garden Destinations Small-Space Gardening From Garden to Table
MAGAZINE
10 The Last Frontier
16
Bok Tower Gardens
22
A Southern Spring Fling
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06 08 30 32 33 34 36 37 38
EDITOR’S NOTE
Thoughts on the season
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Team Hort’s favorite garden gear
NO NEED TO HIBERNATE Winter gardening tips
PLANT TRAVELER
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
A GARDEN OF VICTORY
A community garden spreads joy
URBAN STYLE GARDEN Mastering a small space
WINTER WONDERLANDS Tips for winter travel
TAKE IT INSIDE
Favorite houseplants
KITCHEN GARDENING Potatoes
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, y t li a u q h ig h g in d v o r P d n a r o c e d g in n e d r a g unique s r e m o t s u c r u o o t essentials s e ic r p le ib s s o p t s e b e at th since 1995.
EDITORIAL edit@hortmag.com Editorial Director Patty Dunning Editor Meghan Shinn CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Patty Dunning, Jenny Koester, Meghan Shinn, Maria Woodie DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Christy Cotterman Managing Photographer Ric Deliantoni Photographer Al Parrish Associate Video Editor Philip Grosvenor ADVERTISING advertising@hortmag.com VP, Sales Dave Davel Advertising Sales Jenny Koester 513-531-2690 x11365 Advertising Sales Coordinator Kathy Budsberg F+W MEDIA INC. Chairman & CEO David Nussbaum CFO James Ogle President David Blansfield SVP, Operations Phil Graham Chief Digital Officer, eMedia Chad Phelps Director, IT Jim Kuster Director of Finance Trent Miller Audience Development Paul Rolnick
Privacy promise: Occasionally, we make portions of our customer list available to other companies so they may contact you about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you prefer that we withhold your name, simply send a note with the magazine name to: List Manager, F+W Media Inc., 10151 Carver Road Suite 200, Blue Ash OH 45242.
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AS I WRITE THIS we are just one week shy of the official start of winter, and I just ran out for lunch in a short-sleeved t-shirt! Yes, here in the Ohio River valley of southwest Ohio it seems we’re experiencing yet another mild winter. When I planned this issue, I imagined this note describing the stress of holiday preparations and my longing to be outside in the garden. I thought I’d bemoan the fact that the ground is hard as a rock, that I’d wish for some sunshine. Such is not the case. The sky is clear blue today and the temperature’s above 50˚F! In keeping with the
Gardening is not a rational act. ~ Margaret Atwood
traditions of celebration of this time of year, I will simply use this space to wish you all that is beautiful and bright. May you and yours enjoy your time together, and may you find the opportunity to start planning next year’s garden!
— Patty Dunning :: E D I T O R
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Gardening
GOOD Check out these products we love as gifts for gardening friends on your list, or even yourself! It doesn't have to be a holiday to send someone a little gardening goodness.
Sweeping is believing with The Original Garden Broom! It’s perfect for cleaning patios, decks, driveways, garden paths and the lawn. theoriginalgardenbroom.com
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The beauty of bulbs, inside or out, warms our gardening hearts during the holidays and all year long! Longfield Gardens offers a huge selection of bulbs for indoor and outdoor planting. longfield-gardens.com
GARDENERS ON THE GO!
DNESS! Tools from Fanno Saw Works make your garden chores easier. We love the folding pruning saw. fannosaw.com
Enjoy your garden even more with a swing like this from our friends at Fifthroom.com. fifthroom.com
This one-of-a-kind design from Mohican Wind Harps, the Ella wind harp, is music to our ears. mohicanwindharps.com
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B&B Market Baskets are beautiful as well as functional. From the garden to the farmers’ market, these handmade baskets serve us well! bbmarketbaskets.com GARDENERS ON THE GO!
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The Last Frontier The Alaska Botanical Garden peppers the raw boreal forest with cultivated gardens by Mike Monterusso, Gardens & Facilities Manager
P
LANNING FOR THE Alaska Botanical Garden started in 1983 as members of the Alaska Horticultural Association considered the creation of an arboretum, and the idea grew. The organization was officially incorporated as an Alaskan non-profit in 1986, and there began the process of developing a master plan to guide the creation of gardens and infrastructure elements. Today, the Alaska Botanical Garden occupies about 110 acres. Much of the land will remain in a natural state, with individual “gardens-withinthe-Garden� interconnected by trails through the boreal forest. Recently completed construction projects include a Horticultural Work Center, expansion of a formal garden area, a paved loop trail (in progress) and a one-acre research and demonstration plot.
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Right: The entrance to the Herb Garden at the Alaska Botanical Garden. The Herb Garden, also shown at bottom center, highlights plants of historical, culinary and ethnobotanical significance. Bottom left: The Alaska Botanical Garden depends on volunteers, shown here installing a new section. Bottom right: The Alaska Botanical Garden is known for its collection of blue poppies (Meconopsis spp.; photo by Barbara Miller).
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ALASKA BOTANICAL GARDEN 4601 Campbell Airstrip Rd. Anchorage AK 99507 907-770-3692 www.alaskabg.org Open Hours Year-round during daylight hours (gardens are snow covered in winter) Guided tours daily 1:00 p.m. June through August Admission Members: Free Adults: $7.00 Children ages 3 to 18): $5.00 Children under 3: Free
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5 FAVORITE NATIVE PLANTS 1. BUNCHBERRY (Cornus canadensis), an excellent groundcover for shade, has multiple seasons of interest. The small flowers are surrounded by colorful bracts and leaves that turn a dark red in fall. (Shown left.) 2. LARKSPUR MONKSHOOD (Aconitum delphiniifolium). As the species name suggests, this monkshood has deeply-lobed leaves similar to delphinium, which give the plant a fine, lacy texture relative to other plants in the genus. 3. SPOTTED LADY’S SLIPPER (Cypripedium guttatum). A somewhat rare lady’s slipper orchid, it is found almost exclusively in northern climates from its native Alaska to northern Europe. (Shown on story’s opening page.) 4. INKY GENTIAN (Gentiana glauca) is one of several species of Gentiana found in Alaska. This native species has particularly dark blue flowers, hence the common name. 5. NETLEAF WILLOW (Salix reticulata), a small, alpine member of the willow family, is unique due to its coarse-textured leaves, which are initially very glabrous (fuzzy) but lose their hairs later in the season. *
Top to bottom: The Garden offers a range of programs for both children and adults. Bunchberry is a groundcover that flourishes in the boreal forests of Alaska. The Lower Perennial Garden (photo by Barbara Miller).
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Enjoy the Best of Horticulture
d oun R ‘ ar e All Y Now Available! The 2012 Horticulture Annual CD
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2013 Horticulture Limited-Edition Calendar Limited Quantity Still Available! Product #: U2448
Bok Tower Gardens by Greg Kramer, Director of Horticulture
The gem of central Florida
As
THE WORLD has grown more complex and its pace more hurried, there is one spot in the heart of central Florida where time stands still and a sense of peace and tranquility prevail. In the rolling hills of citrus approximately 55 miles southwest of Orlando and 60 miles east of Tampa, near Lake Wales, Florida, lies Bok Tower Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and one of
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America’s finest gardens. Bok Tower Gardens was dedicated in 1929 as a gift from humanitarian Edward Bok. Here the world-famous Singing Tower, with its 60-bell carillon, historic Olmsted-designed gardens, Pine Ridge Nature Preserve and Pinewood Estate create a haven for birds and wildlife as well as human visitors. Bok Tower Gardens blends the beauty of nature and the intrigue of history with an outstanding collection of musical, artistic and architectural masterpieces that enrich the hearts, minds and souls of all those who come to visit.
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In spring, azaleas bloom in the Azalea Woods at Bok Tower Gardens. Dirt paths wind through the property, leading guests from one delightful scene to the next.
CONTAINER GARDENING TIPS 1. DRAINAGE. Drainage is one of the most important criteria for a successful container garden. A plant in a container not allowing for proper drainage may succumb to various abiotic or biotic diseases. Always check to make sure there is an adequate drainage hole at the bottom of your container. 2. SIZE. Be sure the container is size appropriate for the plant material that will be used. If you’re growing fruits or vegetables, keep in mind that as plants become root bound, their yields will greatly decrease. 3. MATERIAL. The material the container is made is important to consider. If a container is going to be moved often, a lightweight material like plastic or fiberglass might be a good choice. In colder climates, however, pots made of clay or plastic might freeze and crack in winter, therefore making fiberglass or concrete your best option.
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Counter-clockwise from far left: The Singing Tower houses functioning carillon bells. Edward Bok envisioned the property as a bird sanctuary and his intention is honored at every turn. The entrance bears Bok’s quote, “Make you the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.” Edward Bok and his wife, Mary Curtis, in 1925. Air plants dangling outside the garden’s Blue Palmetto Cafe.
BOK TOWER GARDENS 1151 Tower Blvd. Lake Wales FL 33853 863-676-1408 www.boktowergardens.org Open Hours Daily: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Last admission at 5:00 p.m. Concerts are featured daily at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m Admission Members: Free Adults: $12.00 Children ages 5 to 12: $3.00 Children under 5: Free
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FIVE FAVORITE NATIVE PLANT CHOICES FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA 1. FLORIDA PRIVET (Foresteria segregata) Florida privet is a wonderful native shrub that offers fruit for wildlife and food for a diversity of pollinating insects when in flower. It is a good alternative to the invasive Ligustrum species in adverse soils, and it can be maintained as a thick hedging, which offers a natural screening and wildlife habitat. 2. BUTTON-SAGE (Lantana involucrate) This white-blooming perennial is a native lantana that will attract every pollinating insect in the area. Button-sage is a must for any insect-pollination novice or connoisseur. Additionally, it is a low-maintenance bushy perennial that continuously blooms during the warm months and is a welcome alternative to its invasive cousin, Lantana camara. 3. FIREBUSH (Hamelia patens) Finding a native shrub that flowers in both shade and sun is not an easy request, but firebush is up for the challenge. Its orangered trumpet flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout its extended flowering period. Plus, insects and disease issues are not common problems associated with firebush—it’s relatively free of pests. 4. BEAUTYBERRY (Callicarpa americana) Beautyberry is a beautiful shrub people and wildlife both can enjoy, from the Northeast of the United States all the way to the Caribbean. In the fall and winter seasons, migrating and resident birds relish its sapphire-colored fruit. Researchers have found that the shrub may contain compounds that deter pests such as ticks, ants and mosquitoes.
The gardens include both formal and informal elements, celebrating the natural landscape of Florida as well as expert garden design.
5. SIMPSON STOPPER (Myricanthes fragrans) This hardy tropical tree offers four seasons of interest. The shrub produces white panicles of flowers that are very attractive both to people and pollinating insects. As the shrub matures, its exfoliating bark becomes more pronounced when viewed against its dark green foliage. The fruit that follows flower production is reddish in color, signaling dinnertime for fruiteating birds.
DESIGN TIPS: BIRD-FRIENDLY GARDENS 1. PROVIDE SAFETY. Make sure your garden provides a safe place where birds can retreat when feeling threatened. Dense hedges and large trees can be strategically planted to add visual interest while providing this necessary shelter.
3. INSECTS. A successful bird-friendly garden must attract insects. A garden with an abundant amount of insects will help provide protein for birds. Even though older birds may not eat them, young birds require protein in order to grow.
2. FOOD SOURCE. Most birds like to have shelter relatively close to their food source, particularly smaller shelter. Fruit trees, shrubs and seed-producing grasses will help attract certain species of birds.
4. WATER. Water is important to the health of all living organisms, and birds are no exception. Providing a birdbath or more elaborate water feature attracts birds and adds more visual interest to your garden.
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5. STYLE OF GARDEN. Birds are not fickle as to which style of garden you choose, whether it’s formal or more naturalistic. Just keep in mind that some plants may harmonize better when incorporated into a particular design style than others, but using the correct plants in the correct manner will help you create a successful bird-friendly garden that you and your family will enjoy for years to come. *
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A Southern Spring Fling Experience the intimate charm found only beyond Charleston’s private garden gates and historic doorways
S
by the Historic Charleston Foundation
ET AMID THE ambience of the city’s Old & Historic District, this series of award-winning tours showcases the distinctive architecture, history, gardens and culture of Charleston, South Carolina. The Historic Charleston Foundation’s Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens provides a rare opportunity for guests to go inside the private rooms and gardens of some of America’s most beautiful residences, some dating to the 18th century. Tours and events vary daily, allowing visitors to enjoy the diversity of this unique port city, which traces its origins to 1670. Beautiful architecture and lush gardens are woven throughout the historic neighborhoods of Charleston, a city that has consistently been named among the 10 most courteous and friendly cities in America. Established in 1947, the Historic Charleston Foundation has preserved and protected Charleston’s architectural, historical and cultural integrity, educating the public about Charleston’s history and the benefits that are derived from preservation. As a nonprofit organization, the Historic Charleston Foundation works to protect buildings, landscapes and cultural resources that make up Charleston’s rich and irreplaceable heritage.
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HOUSE AND GARDEN TOURS DESCRIPTIONS ANSON STREET (Monday, April 1; and Friday, April 5; 2:00p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Many of this neighborhood’s antebellum houses were built in the years between the Great Fire of 1838 and the outbreak of the Civil War and boast Regency and Greek Revival details.
EAST BATTERY (Wednesday, April 3; and Sunday, April 7; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Colorful 18th-century dwellings, which once housed shops on the entry level, intermingle with grand antebellum mansions. Panoramic views of the Charleston Harbor further enhance the allure of this famous street.
SOUTH BATTERY (Wednesday, April 17; and Saturday, April 20; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Construction of the postbellum era includes early 20th–century waterfront mansions, some of which overlook White Point Garden and the Charleston Harbor, along South Battery and Murray Boulevard.
KING STREET (Friday, March 22; and Monday, March 25; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Untouched by the great fires that ravaged Charleston, this neighborhood boasts architecture from early Georgian to late Victorian, from modest artisans’ houses to grand townhouses.
TRADD STREET (Tuesday, April 2; and Saturday, April 6; 6:00 p .m. – 9:00 p.m.) Said to be named after the first child of European descent born in “Charles Town,” this street and neighborhood contain the greatest concentration of early 18th–century houses in the city.
CHARLOTTE STREET (Tuesday, April 9; and Saturday, April 13; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Impressive 19th century villas were the nucleus of this neighborhood, inhabited by wealthy Charlestonians seeking suburban residences. Numerous charming Victorian dwellings were added later in the 19th century.
LEGARE STREET (Wednesday, April 10; and Sunday, April 14; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) In the prosperous decades preceding the American Revolution, some of the finest mansions in the city were built here, and magnificent Charleston “single houses” were constructed in the neighborhood into the 19th century.
CHURCH STREET (Tuesday, April 16; and Friday, April 19; 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) Often called “the most romantic street in America,” Church Street is a visible record of Charleston history. Colonial and Georgian period dwellings stand beside charming gardens and historic churches.
MEETING STREET (Saturday, March 23; and Tuesday, March 26; 2:00 p .m. – 5:00 p.m.) Residences in this neighborhood date from the earliest period of English settlement on the peninsula to later, more imposing dwellings built in Greek Revival and Italianate fashions.
WENTWORTH STREET (Sunday, March 24; and Wednesday, March 27; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) In 1770, John Harleston divided this neighborhood into lots and named the streets for important contemporary men, several of whom were associated with the cause of American liberty. Some of the city’s finest examples of Federal, Regency, Greek Revival, Italianate and Victorian architecture are found in this early suburb, called the “Village of Harleston.”
BROAD STREET (Friday, April 12; and Monday, April 15; 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) The eastern end of Broad Street, one of the most recognizable streets in Charleston, lies within the old walled city. Charming early houses nestle together in the adjacent French Quarter neighborhood.
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THE HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION 40 East Bay Street Charleston SC 29401 843-722-3405 www.historiccharleston.org/festival Ticket Office Hours Nov. 1 – March 18: Weekdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. March 19 – April 20: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pick up tickets at The Ships of Historic Charleston Foundation, 108 Meeting Street, corner of Meeting and Chalmers, beginning March 19. Ticket Costs House and Garden Tours: $50 Glorious Garden Tours: $50 Gardens, Galleries and Gourmet: $50
Historic Charleston offers visitors a glimpse of many different architectural styles as well as charming and varied gardens. Garden design here ranges from simple and casual window boxes, containers and climbers to more elaborate formal schemes employing clipped parterres and strategically placed focal points.
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GLORIOUS GARDEN TOURS These walking tours are arranged so guests may stroll leisurely through eight to ten private gardens. Guides are stationed at each location to provide information about garden design, plant material and history. Glorious Gardens Tours are featured each Thursday of the Festival and include wine and lemonade receptions at the Nathaniel Russell House, 51 Meeting St., from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
GARDENS, GALLERIES AND GOURMET Experience all of Charleston’s pleasures during this walking tour in the Old & Historic District on Saturday, March 30. It is a feast for the senses in every “sense” of the word, from fragrant blooms in exquisite private gardens, to beautiful works of art in the city’s famous galleries, to a sampling of scrumptious Lowcountry treats in the picturesque courtyard of the historic Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street. During the courtyard reception, celebrated cookbook authors Matt and Ted Lee will greet guests and sign their new book, The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen. *
The gardens and plants of Charleston embellish and emphasize the city’s stunning and diverse architecture.
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WESTERN FLOWER TOUR BY TRAIN Thrill to this collection of six of the West’s most exquisite floral sites. APRIL 9 - APRIL 21, 2013 - $2,995
Butchart Gardens • Lan Su Chinese Garden • Rose Test Garden • Descanso Gardens • Carlsbad Flower Fields LOS ANGELES: Visit deSCanSo GardenS, home to North America’s largest camellia collection.
CARLSBAD, CA: The Flower Field, 50 acres of extraordinary color in bloom on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
VANCOUVER: Queen elizaBeTh Park holds some of the most beautiful public gardens anywhere.
VICTORIA: BuTCharT GardenS is one of the finest floral displays in the world. The gardens are alive with colors and scents.
PORTLAND: The living collection at the lan Su ChineSe Garden is home to more than ninety specimen.
PORTLAND: inTernaTional roSe TeST Garden houses the next generation of roses. Thrill to the Golden Medal Gardens and Shakespear garden. CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ITINERARY (888) 777-6605
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TIME-SAVING TIPS •
No Need to Hibernate 5 ways to improve your gardening life this winter by Meghan Shinn THE GARDEN MAY sleep through winter, but there’s no need for the gardener to do the same. With fewer chores and maintenance to Dec.outdoors, 18th you –March 22 issue of spare time. Here perform may find yourself with some Go! are a fewGardeners ways to put thaton timethe to good use, so that 2013 just may become your best garden year yet.
Asses your garden’s backbone. With summer’s lush greenery and flowers out of the way, take a look at the trees, shrubs and hardscape that makes up the foundation of your garden. Where could you add something to improve the winter look and provide a better backdrop in other seasons?
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Connect with other gardeners. Often, garden clubs are at their most active from September through May, when gardeners have more spare time to spend attending meetings. Join a club, or search for classes or lectures to attend at your local botanic garden.
Make garden resolutions. It could be to try a new plant or technique, abstain from pesticides, volunteer at a botanic garden, take a class . . . the sky’s the limit. Think about how you—as a gardener—want to grow in 2013, and write down how you’ll do it.
Get organized. Is there a portion of your gardening life that’s cluttered or confusing? Spend a few hours one day sorting through your shed or garage, organizing your tools and materials. Or set up a system with a binder or on your computer to keep track of what’s growing in your garden.
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Plan, plan, plan. Most likely this is already a part of your winter activities, but it bears repeating because it’s perhaps one of the funnest parts of gardening! Sketch and design new areas, revisions to current beds or container ideas. *
DID YOU MISS AN ISSUE? THEY’RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! Read back issues of Gardeners On the Go! at issuu.com/horticulture
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PLANT TRAVELER •
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens A Zone 5 delight by Kathy Cropp & Emily Cropp Tomlinson
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens includes over a dozen individual garden spaces linked by trails and pathways that also give a glimpse of Maine’s rugged natural beauty.
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WHEN YOU TAKE the rugged beauty of the Maine coast—with its rocky beaches, steep cliffs, native wildflowers and rugosa rosas—and distill it into 18 acres of beautiful landscaping, you have Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Located in the town of Boothbay, Maine, the gardens are an amazing integration of hardscapes and softscapes that highlight native trees, shrubs, perennials and other plants that grow in USDA Zone 5. This integration of land and plants started around 16 years ago with a small group of people who were able to envision a plant oasis in an unlikely place. Over time, their dream has grown to 250 acres, with 18 acres developed for parking, trails and gardens. This summer they celebrated their fifth public anniversary, and they have welcomed nearly 100,000 visitors. It is amazing what their hard work and dedication have accomplished in such a short time. To really enjoy the gardens, plan a full day’s visit. As you wander along the paths, you’ll begin to descend toward the waterfront. During the descent you’ll pass through a wonderful variety of unique gardens, such as the Reflexology Labyrinth, the Haney Hillside Garden, Slater Forest Pond and the Vayo Meditation Garden, until you come to the Shoreline Trail and the water’s edge. Every plant in the garden is clearly labeled, adding to the learning experience. There are shuttles to bring you back to the top and the Visitors Center. The gardens also house Maine’s greenest building: the Bosarge Family Education Center. The garden’s innovative Horticulture Therapy Program has a teaching area that’s part of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses. In addition, they offer educational programs for adults and children. The garden houses permanent artwork and sculptures, such as the large rose made out of pink stone in the rose arbor. It also hosts special temporary exhibits each year. This year, the garden published Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens: The People’s Garden, written by various members of the staff, including their Executive Director, William Cullina. This special place is truly the “Miracle Garden in Maine.” Who would ever have thought such a beautiful garden could grow in a state where winter seems to last nine months? Well, this garden does, and it’s well worth the visit. *
GARDENERS ON THE GO!
COMMUNITY GARDEN SPOTLIGHT •
COLLIERVILLE,
tennessee
Young volunteers at the Collierville Victory Garden.
A Garden Full of Victory How a community spreads the joy of giving while learning sustainability by Maria Woodie
NESTLED IN THE TOWN OF Collierville, Tenn., just east of Memphis, a special community garden donates all of its produce to the local food pantry and its fresh-cut flowers to people in nursing homes and hospice care. The Collierville Victory Garden educates the members of its community, both young and old, on how to grow a lowcost, sustainable garden. On land provided by the Collierville Christian Church, master gardeners and other volunteers plant, grow and harvest an abundance of crops year-round. Kale, collards, daikon, carrots, onions and 20 different varieties of garlic are grown during winter, with sweet peas planted in February; cole crops, potatoes and more onions are common spring crops. Corn, peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, basil and eggplants
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flourish during summer, with turnips and cabbages following closely behind them in fall. With each new year’s harvest comes more success for the Collierville Victory Garden. In 2010, they donated 3,666 pounds of produce; the amount rose in 2011 to 4,606 pounds and the gardeners donated 5,386 pounds, so far, in 2012, with one last harvest remaining. How do they do it? With a supportive community that comes together to spread the gift of giving and the love of gardening. “We are blessed with many adult and childrens’ groups visiting the garden,” says Carl Wayne Hardeman, one of three master gardeners who founded the Collierville Victory Garden. “We are also blessed with a large cadre of volunteer angels. Some are master gardeners, many are not; but almost everyone is learning something.” *
SMALL SPACES •
An Urban-Style Garden
How one gardener mastered a small-space, transforming it into a tiny piece of garden paradise by Maria Woodie IN NEWPORT, KY., you’ll find an abundance of charming Victorian homes, snugly situated side by side. Although these dwellings offer majestic and serene architecture, their small landscapes often lack the same appeal. Resident Jennifer Tulich, however, was not about to let her yard suffer a similar fate. After purchasing her home in 2001, Tulich immediately began revamping her 30-by-15-foot yard. Despite its size, her garden accommodates both shade- and sun-loving plants; the neighboring homes offer shade, while
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Tulich maintains sunny spots by resisting the city’s desire to plant street trees in front of her yard. Tulich grows a mixture of perennials in her front beds and an array of annuals and bulbs in containers located in her walkway. “I use the containers for plants because I think it is easier to move them inside for winter,” she says. “Plus, you don’t have to worry about damaging winterhardy plants’ roots when digging them up.” Besides tending her beautiful blend of skillfully planted beds and containers, Tulich likes to
TULICH’S GARDENING TIPS Here are 3 tips that Jennifer Tulich offers other gardeners maintaining a small-space garden: repurpose old materials to add a little extra flair to her garden. “I have a small claw-foot tub that I repainted and converted into a koi pond with water plants,” she explains. “I also used the slate shingles from my roof as edging for one of my front flowerbeds and I repurposed bricks I found while digging up the front yard to create a small, accent retaining wall.” Amid all the stunning designs her garden offers, Tulich’s favorite focal point is her Opuntia ficus-indica cactus—commonly known as a prickly pear or Indian fig. With its impressive display of reddish yellow blooms, this large cactus is just one of many eye-catching plants that captivates onlookers, drawing them into Tulich’s little oasis. *
1. Have patience and persistence. Do not be afraid to experiment. With trial and error you can create a wonderful small-space garden that works best for you. 2. With minimal space your choices in plants are limited. Try to find more unusual plants that work within your growing conditions and make the space as unique and interesting as possible. While picking out plants, find ones that have a very long blooming season, attract butterflies and have clumping growth habits—so you won’t need to evict invasive, overcrowding plants later. 3. Try designating a flowerbed where you can experiment with different types of plants, preferably annuals. Since this space will be different from year to year, you’ll always have something new and exciting to look forward to each new growing season.
Opposite page, top: A “before” picture of Jennifer Tulich’s home. Bottom, left to right: The front yard as it stands today, with architectural evergreens, flowering perennials and an accent wall that Tulich built herself; she also removed an awning and added bright paint to spruce up the house’s facade. The pathway leading through the front yard, which accommodates sun-loving plants. The walkway running between Tulich’s front and back yards, where she keeps shade-loving and tender plants in containers, including a claw-foot bathtub repurposed as a water garden. Another angle of the front yard; Tulich uses all the space available to her, including the wall where she has trained climbing plants.
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GARDEN TRAVEL TIPS•
Winter Gardens Are Winter Wonderlands by Jenny Koester
IF YOU HAD any doubt about garden travel in the winter months, I have wonderful news for you. Now is the perfect time to explore garden destinations near and far. Many public gardens have elaborate seasonal displays to help you get in the holiday spirit. Not only can you experience first-hand the beauty of a well-designed garden or landscape, but you can also start a new holiday tradition: exploring the winter garden.
Be smart with your winter travels if you live in colder climates. Snow a n d i ce s t o r m s c a n make winter travel hazardous and sometimes these storms have a way of sneaking up on us. AAA offers many wise winter-travel tips. Blankets, food, water, batteries, candles, kitty litter (great for traction on slippery roads), jumper cables and a book (you may need something to read while you await help) are just a few items all drivers in cold climates should have in their car this winter.
My northern garden friends, I cannot stress enough the wonderful reprieve from our long winters that a trip to warmer climates’ gardens can provide. You will enjoy being around plants we simply cannot grow in our zones, and spending time in the warmth and in lush green gardens will rejuvenate your gardening spirit.
Are you a stranger to snow? The winter garden, one that’s covered in a magical white frost or sparkling with newly formed ice, is breathtaking. The winter garden allows us to experience the beauty of tree bark, seed pods, grasses and the structure of the design. A thoughtfully designed garden can be a winter wonderland. So pack your boots and mittens, you southern gardeners, and be ready to explore the gardens in the early morning, when the winter garden is often at its most beautiful. *
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PLANT PROFILES •
Take It Inside Four favorite houseplants STAGHORN FERN (PLATYCERIUM BIFURCATUM) is a real conversation piece and an interesting addition to a room’s decor. These flat-leafed plants can grow on volcanic rock or on a mosscovered wall mount. Drench the plant weekly.
JLPC
Ta n n y 1 9 3 9 PeterNijenhuis
CAPE PRIMROSE (STREPTOCARPUS SPP.), larger relatives of African violets, bloom easily and abundantly with trumpet-like flowers held above broad, strappy leaves. Grow in bright light and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
WAX PLANTS (HOYA SPP.) are nearly indestructible, provided they aren’t overwatered. These plants have pretty foliage, starlike, waxy, fragrant flowers and, often, a vining habit. Great for a hanging basket in a bright window.
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LUCKY JADE (CRASSULA OVATA) rewards your neglect with glossy dark green leaves and, sometimes, tiny fragrant flowers. Its framework of woody stems and branches is nature in miniature. It stores water, so it survives infrequent watering. *
GARDENERS ON THE GO!
KITCHEN GARDENING •
Potatoes This tasty tuber is a cooking staple by Maria Woodie recipe from EatingWell Magazine March/April 2011 EVEN WITH A variety of dif-
ferent sizes, shapes and colors, one thing remains the same with all potatoes (Solanum tuberosum): delicious recipes. Whether added to a stew, baked as a side dish or thinly sliced, seasoned and fried into a delicious chip, these culinary staples satisfy an array of different food cravings, irresistible to our taste buds. Growing your own delicious potatoes can be fun and easy to do. You should plant these tubers in early spring, two to four weeks before the last frost. Potatoes are most successful in well-drained, loose, sandy soils, with exposure to full sun. If planting in the ground, place them four to six inches deep, “eyes” facing up, with a couple inches of soil spread on top. Make sure you hill the soil once plants reach four to six inches in height. You can harvest after the flowers of the potatoes bloom. For
Potato-Artichoke Soup
SHOPPING LIST
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or parsley 3 cups chopped peeled potatoes (about 1½ pounds) 1 nine-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and chopped 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth 2 cups water ½ cup half-and-half (optional) ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper to taste DIRECTIONS
• BUTTER • EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL • 1 MEDIUM ONION • CELERY • FRESH GARLIC • FRESH THYME OR PARSLEY • POTATOES (ABOUT 1½ POUNDS)
Heat butter and oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat until the butter melts. Add onion and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add garlic and thyme (or parsley); cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds.
• 1 9-OUNCE PACKAGE FROZEN ARTICHOKE HEARTS
Stir in potatoes and artichoke hearts. Add broth and water; bring to a lively simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• CHICKEN BROTH OR VEGETABLE BROTH
Puree the soup in the pot using an immersion blender or in batches in a blender. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Stir in half-and-half (if using), and salt and pepper.
longer storage, wait until the foliage has started to wither, allowing the potatoes to harden. Be careful not to eat any potatoes that have turned green. These can be toxic. There is nothing like biting into your own homegrown potato. By adding these easy and fast-growing tubers to your garden, you can experiment with different scrumptious varieties and save yourself a trip to the grocery store. *
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In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
Seline Skoug
-ALBERT CAMUS (FRENCH AUTHOR AND PHILOSOPHER, 1913-1960)
next issue Watch for our next issue, which will be available in late March 2013, and will include more stories about small-space gardening, outstanding public gardens and edible gardening. In the meantime keep up with us online:
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